Educational Tools for Cancer

Overseen By Clinical Trials Referral Office

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Mayo Clinic

Disqualifiers: Stage I/II, Low-grade, Hematologic, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

50 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if educational tools can help young people with advanced cancers plan their future care preferences early. Participants will watch a video and attend a meeting to discuss advance care planning, which involves deciding on care wishes if they become unable to make decisions later. The trial is for those recently diagnosed with advanced solid tumors or high-grade brain tumors, receiving treatment at Mayo Clinic Arizona, and comfortable with English.

As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to important research that could enhance future care planning for young cancer patients.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on educational tools for advance care planning, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.

What prior data suggests that these educational tools are safe for adolescents and young adults with cancer?

Research has shown that educational tools for advance care planning (ACP) are generally safe. One study found that using a video decision aid, similar to those in the tools, improved communication about ACP without causing harm. Another review of ACP tools demonstrated that they often lead more people to choose home care over hospitalization, indicating they are well-received and safe.

These tools help patients understand and express their care preferences, especially in serious health situations. Since this trial does not involve medication or physical treatments, typical side effects seen with drugs do not occur. Instead, the focus is on providing information and support, which is considered safe and helpful for most people.

For any concerns, discussing them with the study team or a healthcare provider is advisable. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these educational tools for early advance care planning (ACP) because they offer a proactive approach to end-of-life discussions, a topic often avoided until it's too late. Unlike traditional care, which might not address these conversations until later stages, this method involves a brief, on-demand video followed by a personalized appointment with a healthcare professional. This blend of digital and face-to-face interaction aims to empower patients with knowledge and support, potentially leading to more informed decision-making. It's a unique approach that prioritizes early intervention and tailored guidance, offering a fresh perspective on patient care.

What evidence suggests that these educational tools are effective for improving early advance care planning in adolescents and young adults with advanced solid tumors and high-grade brain tumors?

Research has shown that educational tools can assist people in planning their future medical care, known as advance care planning (ACP). Studies have found that digital tools and programs simplify the process for patients, enhancing their understanding and participation in these crucial conversations. These tools improve patients' knowledge and aid in making better decisions about future healthcare. Additionally, implementing ACP programs in healthcare settings has increased participation in ACP activities. In this trial, participants will use educational tools specifically designed for teenagers and young adults with cancer, highlighting the importance of planning and making informed choices about their care. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Allison C. Rosenthal, DO

Principal Investigator

Mayo Clinic

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adolescents and young adults with advanced solid tumors or high-grade brain tumors. Participants should be starting treatment and willing to engage in advance care planning, which involves discussing end-of-life preferences and completing legal documents about their care wishes.

Inclusion Criteria

Actively receiving primary oncologic care at Mayo Clinic Arizona

Able to read, understand, and speak English

I was diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 18 and 39.

Exclusion Criteria

I was diagnosed with cancer when I was either younger than 18 or older than 39.

I have been diagnosed with early-stage cancer or a low-grade brain tumor.

No internet or computer/smart phone access

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Educational Intervention

Participants watch an early ACP educational video at home and attend an ACP appointment with a social worker or physician assistant

1 month

1 visit (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for feasibility and satisfaction with the ACP intervention, as well as changes in ACP readiness and anxiety

Up to 1 year

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Educational Tools for Early Advance Care Planning

Trial Overview The study tests educational tools designed to improve early advance care planning. These include an educational video featuring young cancer patients and a tailored guide reviewed during an appointment, aimed at introducing key concepts of future healthcare planning.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Supportive care (early ACP) Experimental Treatment 4 Interventions

Patients watch a brief, on-demand early ACP educational video at baseline and then one month later attend an ACP appointment with either an AYA social worker or AYA palliative medicine physician assistant over 1 hour.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Mayo Clinic

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,427

Recruited

3,221,000+

Citations

1. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0738399125000734

Web-based educational tools and decision aids for patients ... Sixteen web-based tools were identified: Seven for breast cancer, six for other specific cancers, and three for mixed populations.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12405694/

Evaluating outcomes of advance care planning interventions ... Aim: To utilise published reviews to explore the efficacy of current advance care planning interventions, including how they are evaluated, and ...

3. medrxiv.org medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.07.21.25331958v1.full-text

Effectiveness of Digital Tools in Promoting Advance Care ... This systematic review aims to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of digital tools and interventions in promoting advance care planning ...

4. ascopubs.org ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/OP-25-00789

Leveraging Electronic Health Record Tools and Social ... This study demonstrates that a default-based, population health-enabled ACP intervention embedded in an oncology clinic workflow increases ACP ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3737727/

Teaching Advance Care Planning to Medical Students with ... Use of a computer-based decision aid may be an effective way to teach medical students how to discuss advance care planning with cancer patients.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11265253/

a scoping review of patient-facing tools for advance care ... The most frequently used tools for ACP included in our review were PREPARE for Your Care, PROVEN, Hello Project (formerly My Gift of Grace), Making Your Wishes ...

7. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2833774

An Intervention to Increase Advance Care Planning Among ... The results of this study suggest that implementing patient video decision aids along with bolstering clinician communication skills can improve clinical ACP ...

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0738399121004067

Promoting advance care planning via mediated health ... This study has shown that mediated ACP interventions use various contents, formats, and structures to influence patient-centered ACP outcomes.

9. cdn.clinicaltrials.gov cdn.clinicaltrials.gov/large-docs/58/NCT03824158/Prot_SAP_000.pdf

Patient-centered and efficacious advance care planning in ... The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness and implementation costs of two different patient-facing ACP interventions among ...